[0001] The present invention relates to a waterstop barrier, particularly for concrete structures
comprising a reinforcement frame, which are generally known as reinforced-concrete
structures.
[0002] The construction of a reinforced-concrete structure currently entails the execution
of the following operations: installing the formwork, placing the internal frame,
and casting the concrete.
[0003] Then, when the concrete starts to harden, the formwork is removed and the structure
is thus produced.
[0004] Reinforced-concrete structures have the characteristic of being strong and light
and are therefore widely used in the construction sector.
[0005] However, said reinforced-concrete structures entail drawbacks: the concrete hardens
in a short time, but it completely loses its excess water in a very long time; during
this settling period, cracks can form along the structure which of course affect the
weakest part of said structure.
[0006] Said cracks can affect the entire thickness of the structure, i.e., regions where
a flow of water can occur, thus possibly entailing infiltrations.
[0007] Particularly for structures executed below ground level, these infiltrations are
very harmful: the water seeps in more easily, damaging the rods of the frame and interfering
with the static behavior of the structure and with its functionality.
[0008] In order to obviate this drawback, it would be necessary to produce the structures
by interrupting the concrete castings every five or six meters, thus allowing the
concrete to harden more uniformly.
[0009] However, this system has the drawback that it considerably increases the construction
times of the structure with a considerable cost increase, and furthermore does not
ensure complete elimination of said cracks, which can form at the joints of the casting.
[0010] In structures executed below ground level, the concrete casting joints are conventionally
sealed with a sealing strip of water-expanding material, which considerably increases
its volume, sealing any cracks, when placed in contact with the water contained in
the concrete.
[0011] However, this sealing strip has the drawback that in order to perform its function
it must be in contact with a compact surface; therefore, it is generally necessary
to surround the sealing strip with a metal mesh that is fixed to the structure by
means of nails.
[0012] In this case, too, it is necessary to perform discontinuous concrete castings, manually
associating the sealing strip and the metal mesh with the parts of the structure;
otherwise, if the sealing strip is inserted in the formwork before the concrete casting,
without being retained, it moves due to the concrete casting and loses its functionality.
[0013] The sealing strip is also conventionally insertable in a seat that is formed beforehand
at the end of a joined element, which is inserted in the formwork prior to the concrete
casting; the sealing strip is also conventionally arrangeable between two polystyrene
elements, which are optionally surrounded by a metal mesh.
[0014] Both solutions have the drawback that they are loose within the formwork and are
thus subjected to the thrust of the concrete casting; accordingly, they are unstable
and bend or rise, with respect to the initial position, becoming further weakening
factors for the structure.
[0015] A principal aim of the present invention is to solve the described technical problems,
eliminating the drawbacks of the mentioned prior art by providing a waterstop barrier
that allows to produce structure stress raisers that guide the formation of the cracks.
[0016] Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a waterstop
barrier that allows to produce uninterrupted horizontal and vertical concrete castings
of considerable size.
[0017] Another important object is to provide a waterstop barrier that is easy and simple
to construct.
[0018] Another important object is to provide a waterstop barrier that allows the sealing
strip to perform its water-expanding function.
[0019] Another object is to provide a waterstop barrier that has a low cost and can be produced
with conventional and known machines and equipment.
[0020] This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved
by a waterstop barrier, particularly for reinforced-concrete structures that comprise
a reinforcement frame, characterized in that it is constituted by a modular rigid
structure composed of a first and a second elements that can be arranged adjacent
to each other, with the interposition of a water-expanding sealing strip, said rigid
structure comprising locking means and means for engaging said reinforcement frame.
[0021] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from
the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of
the waterstop barrier, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
figure 1 is a perspective view of the method of assembly of the barrier;
figure 2 is a perspective view of the barrier fixed to the reinforcement frame;
figures 3 and 4 are detail views of the system for fixing to the reinforcement frame;
figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of a detail of the assembly of two barriers;
figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of the operation of the barrier;
figure 9 is a perspective view of the application of the barrier in a platform;
figures 10 and 11 are, respectively, a sectional view taken along a transverse plane
and a front view of the barrier.
[0022] With reference to the above figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a concrete
structure comprising a reinforcement frame 2.
[0023] Said frame 2 is constituted by two grids arranged side by side, which comprise at
least a first rod 3a and a second rod 3b, which are arranged vertically and so as
to face each other, and between which it is possible to interpose a waterstop barrier
4.
[0024] The barrier 4 has a modular rigid structure 5 constituted by a first element 6a and
a second element 6b that are mutually identical and preferably panel-shaped and can
be arranged laterally adjacent with the interposition of a water-expanding sealing
strip 7.
[0025] The first element 6a and the second element 6b, preferably produced by extruding
plastics, have a plurality of openings 8 that are formed internally and longitudinally
and are all parallel to each other; in a sectional view taken along a median plane
running transversely to said rigid structure 5, said openings have a rectangular shape.
[0026] A first and a second pairs of fins, designated by the reference numerals 9a-9b, 10a-10b
respectively, protrude laterally from the first element 6a and from the second element
6b at the sealing strip 7; said fins are parallel, are arranged side by side in pairs,
and are adapted to constitute an element for partially containing the sealing strip
7.
[0027] The first element 6a and the second element 6b furthermore have locking means 11.
[0028] Said locking means 11 are preferably constituted by a plurality of first holes 12
formed internally and transversely, on the same axis, in the first element 6a and
in the second element 6b.
[0029] A pin 13 can be inserted in each one of said plurality of first holes 12; the pin
13 passes inside the sealing strip 7, which is perforated, and has a length that matches
the width of the rigid structure 5.
[0030] The first element 6a and the second element 6b furthermore have means for engaging
the reinforcement frame 2; said engagement means are constituted by two third fins
14a and 14b and by two fourth fins 15a and 15b protruding respectively from the first
element 6a and from the second element 6b on the opposite side with respect to the
sealing strip 7.
[0031] Said third pair of fins 14a and 14b and said fourth pair of fins 15a and 15b protrude
at right angles from the rigid structure 5 and are arranged parallel to each other;
said fins are adapted to form, within them, a seat for the first rod 3a and for the
second rod 3b respectively.
[0032] The third pair of fins 14a and 14b and the fourth pair of fins 15a and 15b respectively
have a plurality of second holes 16 and a plurality of third holes 17 that allow,
preferably by virtue of the passage of a wire 18, a rigid connection to the first
and second rods 3a and 3b.
[0033] The wire 18 is preferably of a type similar to the one used for interconnecting the
rods which constitute the frame 2, as shown in figure 3.
[0034] The rigid structure 5 can have at least two pairs of feet 19 that are connected to
the upper and lower ends; each foot is preferably H-shaped in transverse cross-section
and can be partially inserted at one of the openings 8.
[0035] Each foot 19 has two pointed ends 20a and 20b that are adapted to allow easy insertion
at the opening 8 of each rigid structure 5 if the barrier 4 is constituted by arranging
two or more of said rigid structures 5 adjacent to each other.
[0036] Operation is as follows: the first element 6a is arranged laterally adjacent to the
second element 6b, interposing the sealing strip 7 at the first pair of fins 9a and
9b and at the second pair of fins 10a and 10b; the first pins 13 are inserted at each
one of said plurality of first holes 12, in order to produce the rigid structure 5;
said rigid structure 5 is then associated with the reinforcement frame 2, at a first
rod 3a and at a second rod 3b, which face each other, through the insertion of said
rods between the two third fins 14a and 14b and the two fourth fins 15a and 15b; then,
through the wire 18, the rigid structure 5 is fixed to the rods.
[0037] Of course, according to the height or width of the structure to be produced, it is
possible to associate a plurality of rigid structures 5, arranging them one on top
of the other and connecting them by interposing a plurality of feet that are partially
inserted between them at the openings 8 so as to form the barrier 4.
[0038] It has thus been observed that the waterstop barrier thus conceived has achieved
the intended aim and objects, since it is firmly connected to the reinforcement frame,
producing, for the resulting structure, stress raisers that guide the formation of
the cracks.
[0039] Said waterstop barrier furthermore allows the sealing strip to provide its features
in the best possible manner, since it is in itself a barrier for the concrete casting
which, in that point, produces a compact surface in front of said barrier and behind
it; this applies to both horizontal and vertical concrete castings.
[0040] Since said barrier can be associated with the reinforcement frame prior to the concrete
casting, and indeed during the manufacture of said reinforcement frame, it is possible
to perform a single concrete casting even if the dimensions are considerable; this
of course entails a considerable time saving and cost reduction; moreover, the number
of barriers and their arrangement are left to the designer's discretion and depend
on the specific requirements.
[0041] It can furthermore be noted that, since the pins pass within the water-expanding
sealing strip, they do not affect the surface of contact between the sealing strip
and the concrete and therefore do not interfere with the expansion of the sealing
strip; this expansion is in fact necessary to ensure sealing of the crack when water
passes.
[0042] If horizontal structures are produced, the barrier has a dual function: on the one
hand, it allows to contain the concrete castings; on the other hand, it allows to
provide watertightness between the joints of successive castings.
[0043] The invention is of course susceptible of numerous modifications and variations,
all of which are within the scope of the same inventive concept.
[0044] Thus, for example, the sealing strip can be glued laterally to the first and second
elements.
[0045] The materials and the dimensions constituting the individual components of the device
may of course also be the most appropriate according to the specific requirements.
[0046] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs,
those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility
of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect
on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference
signs.
1. A waterstop barrier, particularly for reinforced-concrete structures that comprise
a reinforcement frame, characterized in that it is constituted by a modular rigid
structure composed of a first and a second elements that can be arranged adjacent
to each other, with the interposition of a water-expanding sealing strip, said rigid
structure comprising locking means and means for engaging said reinforcement frame.
2. A waterstop barrier according to claim 1, characterized in that said first and second
elements are identical to each other, are panel-shaped, and are produced by extruding
plastics, said first and second elements having a plurality of openings that are formed
internally and longitudinally, are all parallel to each other, and have a rectangular
shape in a cross-section taken along a median plane lying transversely to said rigid
structure.
3. A waterstop barrier according to claim 1, characterized in that a first and a second
pairs of fins protrude laterally from said first and second elements at the location
of said sealing strip, said fins being mutually parallel and facing each other in
pairs and being adapted to constitute an element for the partial containment of said
sealing strip.
4. A waterstop barrier according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking means
are preferably constituted by at least one pin and a plurality of first holes formed
internally and transversely along a same axis in said first and second elements, said
at least one pin being insertable in each one of said plurality of first holes.
5. A waterstop barrier according to claim 4, characterized in that said sealing strip
is perforated, and in that said pin passes inside said sealing strip and has a length
that approximately matches the width of said rigid structure.
6. A waterstop barrier according to claim 1, characterized in that said engagement means
are constituted by two third fins and two fourth fins, which protrude respectively
from said first element and from said second element on opposite sides with respect
to the location of said sealing strip.
7. A waterstop barrier according to claim 6, characterized in that said third and said
fourth pairs of fins protrude at right angles from said modular rigid structure, are
arranged parallel to each other, and are adapted to form, inside them, a seat for
a first and a second brackets respectively.
8. A waterstop barrier according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that said rigid
structure is interposed between first and second rods that form said reinforcement
frame.
9. A waterstop barrier according to claim 7, characterized in that said third and fourth
pairs of fins respectively have a plurality of second and third holes allowing a rigid
connection to said first and second rods, said rigid connection being provided by
a wire.
10. A waterstop barrier according to claim 1, characterized in that said rigid structure
has at least one foot that is connected to the upper and/or lower ends, is preferably
H-shaped in transverse cross-section, and can be partially inserted at one of the
openings of another analogue rigid structure.
11. A waterstop barrier according to claim 10, characterized in that said at least one
foot has two pointed ends that allow easy insertion at said opening provided in at
least another rigid structure.